Regime Forces in Bahrain Prevent Muslims from Holding Friday Prayers in Diraz

Rasa - For the 33rd consecutive week, the Bahraini regime barred Muslims from attending Friday Prayers ceremony in the restive town of Diraz, which is the hometown of the spiritual leader of Bahrain’s Shiite majority, Sheikh Isa Qassim, local media reports said.

News ID: 427825

Date: 03 March 2017 - 20:11

RNA - Al Khalifa regime forces on Friday continued the ban on worshippers in Diraz, west of Manama, which prevents them from participating in Friday Prayers in Imam Al-Sadiq Mosque, the largest mosque in the town.

The security forces surrounded the Imam Al-Sadiq Mosque on Friday to prevent the entrance of the worshippers, according to the report.

The security forces have barred Muslims from reaching the mosque for nearly 8 months. The move is part of the regime’s crackdown on the Shiite people and clergy that has intensified over the past year.

Manama announced in June 2016 that the citizenship of Sheikh Qassim has been revoked, accusing him of sowing sectarian divisions.

The regime later said it would put the senior cleric on trial on charges of “illegal fund collections, money laundering and helping terrorism.”

Sheikh Qassim’s planned trials were adjourned several times after the prominent cleric did not appear in court.

Bahrain, a close ally of the US in the Persian Gulf region, has been witnessing almost daily protests against the ruling Al Khalifa dynasty since early 2011, with Manama using heavy-handed measures in an attempt to crush the demonstrations.

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